Backstabbed

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To have been unfairly betrayed by someone previously trusted To have suffered deceit from an individual considered an ally To have experienced treachery from a confidant or close associate
2. To have been secretly or dishonorably betrayed by a person once trusted
3. Having been unfairly undermined or deceived by someone thought to be loyal

Etymology: "Backstabbed" is simply the past tense and past participle of "backstab", so its story is the story of that verb. The verb is built from two plain English words: "back", the part of the body, and "stab", to wound with a pointed blade. Put together, the image is a knife driven into someone from behind, where they cannot see it coming. The literal sense is what gives the figurative one its force. A stab in the back was the classic act of a treacherous attacker, the opposite of a fair fight face to face. Over time the physical blow faded and the word came to describe the same betrayal without any weapon: a colleague who undermines you in secret, or a friend who deceives you while appearing loyal.

Synonyms: betrayed, double-crossed

Antonyms: loyal